Healthcare workers' attitudes to how hand hygiene performance is currently monitored and assessed. Issue 4 (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cawthorne, K-R.; Cooke, R.P.D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 105:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 705
• Page End: 709
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Hand hygiene -- Healthcare workers -- Direct observation -- New innovative technologies; Cross infection -- Periodicals; Cross infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.05.039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

Summary: Engagement of healthcare workers (HCWs) is critical to maintaining high levels of hand hygiene (HH). However, attitudes of HCWs to how compliance is monitored has been poorly described. This study explored the HCW perspective on direct observation (DO) as a gold standard for HH monitoring. It also sought their opinions on innovative technology. A survey was emailed to all staff in two NHS trusts: 1120 responses were analysed. Nursing staff and doctors accounted for the largest quantity of responses; 58% of HCWs did not strongly endorse DO assessment of HH compliance. Staff were open to considering alternative innovative technologies.